Can-opening machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. N. ANDERSON. I CAN OPENING MACHINE.

No. 539,971. Patented May 28, 1895.

(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 2 W. N. ANDERSON.

GAN OPENING MACHINE. v No. 539,971. Patented May 28, 1895.

Wanesses:

limm/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

4 WILLIAM N. ANDERSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

CAN-OPENING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,971, dated May 28, 1895. I

Application filed May 21, 1894. Serial No. 512,028- (ll'o model.)

- To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM N. ANDER- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing in' San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Opening Metallic Packing-Cans; and I hereby declare the following specification and the drawings therewith to be a complete description of my improvements and the method of constructing and applying the same in practice.

My invention relates to apparatus for open-' ing or cutting out, or cutting 01f, the ends of metallic packing cans, and consists of means to clamp and revolve the cans in contact with an adjustable cutting tool that scores and cuts out, or cuts on, the ends of the cans, so their contents can be readily removed, the tool supporting devices being fixed or stationary in respect to the cutting movement.

My invention also includes various expedients to perform the functions named on both cylindrical cans and those of rectangular section, as will be more fully pointed out in connection with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of one of my improved can-opening machines. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, partially in section. Fig. 3 is a front elevation in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is another side elevation of the same machine arranged to operate on cans of rectangular section. Fig. 5 is a reverseview of the cutting implement and connected parts. Fig. 6 is a view, partially in section, of the cutting implement for square or angular cans. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the action of the cutter in opening cans of angular section.

- Similar letters of reference on the different figures indicate corresponding parts thereof.

The base or main frame A of the machine is made of a hollow section, as shown in Fig. 2, held by a clamp and screw B to a table or other suitable support 0.

On top of the base A, loosely held by a central pin or screw B are two revolving plates D and E, the latter having grooves and ledges H to receive clamping jaws F, as shown in Fig. 1, and the intermediate plate D having a V0- lute groove G into which fit teeth'or threads of the jaws F, as shown in Fig. 2, so that when the plates D and Bare turned independently In placing the can N, the top plate E-is held stationary, and the plate D revolved by means of the handle J, expanding the jaws F until they will receive the can N. Then the handle J is reversed, and the top plate E held stationary until the jaws F engage and hold the can l N, the grip being increased by resistance of the cutting tools 0' 0 The can N being thus clamped by the jaws F, and set inrevolution by the crank J, the cutting devices are next applied so as to either cut off the whole top of the can by a tool 0', or to cut out the top le avin g the sides intact by means of the tool 0 and Q and the sleeves or sockets R R are mounted on a stem S, preferably of angular section, as shownat the left in Fig. 7.' This stem S slides in the socket T formed on the baseplate'A, and is held or clamped at various heights as the work demands, by the thumb screw U.

The tool stocks Q and Q are moved by the levers P P, the tool 0 and its connected parts being shown at Figs. 2 and 3 in the position of cutting off the top of a can N. To

cut out the top, as with the vertical tool 0?,

the stem S is raised to receive the stem Q, the lever P-acting vertically to force the tool 0 downward, as will be understood from the drawings. After the tool Q or Q has penetrated the metal a revolution of the can cuts off the top, or cuts out a circular hole therein, so the contents can be poured out. The can and the plate E are then held stationary, and the handle J reversed so as to expand the jaws F and release the can N, permitting another one to be placed and fastened.

Referring next to the details shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, these show the modification required to open angular or square cans with the same machine. In this case the tool O is mounted in a sleeve or socket Q sliding in a pivoted sleeve or support R held by the pin ICO V, and ismoved ,up or down by a levenP?, asv in the caseoficylindrical cans, but theswingr ing movement of the socket R indicated by the diverging dotted lines a a in Fig. 4, permits the tool 0 to follow around the can at an equal distancefrom the.sid.es,as..indicated. by the score W in Fig. 7.-

The stock Q is provided with a supplementary swiveling extensiorrX.v held by.,a,

pin 6, so the extension X and tool 0 are free to turn in either direction, and are adjustable by a guide Y that bears.onth'eoutsideof the. can N, turning the extension X and tool 0 in passing the corners, and holding them parallel to the sides, as shown in the diagram Fig. 7. It will be seenthatinthis manner. of operating.

the tool esupporting devices. have .-no.,move-' ment except .fonadjustment andthe cuttings motion is produced by theohuck orplatejthat. holds and revolves the can.

Having. thus explained. the. nature .and objects ofi.my invention, what I1claim..as new, and desire tosecure ,byLetters Patent is?" 1. In a can-opening machine,a..revoluble.

plate or. chuckto which thecans tobeepened aresecured-and. movable jaws thereon closed" on..the top or .sides of the cans, inthe manner substantially as specified and described.

3. In a can-opening machine, a revoluble plate or chuck having movable jaws that will grip and hold cans of either cylindrical or angular form, a. hinged and swiveling toolh'oldi'ng stock that Will permit the end of the tool to deviate and follow the contour of square or. angular cans, in the manner substantially as specified.

4. In a can-opening machine, a revoluble plate or chuck to hold and revolve the cans tobeopened. hinged and swiveling tool-holding appliances that permit the tool to follow the contour of cans of square or angular section, and a guide that bears on the outside of thencan. and .turns .the. tool. and-its stock atthe.corners of thecan.andguidethesame, in

the manner .substanti allyas and for the-pun.

poses. specified 5.1 In. a tcanaopening..machine,a revoluble plate or chucks andinconnection therewith an adgiustable tool asupportirng bar for tools to. cut out ;the=.tops =ofi th'e. cans, a secondadjustable device-of. like. sectionand interchangeable. therewith to support tools for cutting through the. sides-0t the cans, substantially as described.

In. testimonywhereof lhavehereuntoaffixedemysignatune.in .the presence of two witnesses.

wlLLlA-MuN. ANDERSON- Witnesses:

ALFRED 1A: EN UIsT, VILSON' D..BENT,. Jr. 

